Diabetes with a smile–

walking

This will be short, because it’s 4:42 p.m., and I’m going out to walk. I texted a friend at 7:30 a.m. those same words. Did I do it? NO! I’m so out of whack, it’s not even funny. I told a friend last night that all things healthy are definitely NOT happening in my life. Let’s face it, they don’t just “happen.” We have to make them happen!

I’m a member of a family “Slim Down Challenge” Facebook page. Ugh. It’s torture. I don’t want to do it. My goal has been a miserable 8,000 steps per day. That’s NOT a lot! Last night I walked around my house for about 20 minutes to make it to my goal by midnight. It was 11:45! The good news is that I made it in time.

When I say I’m out of whack, I mean everything: my food, my blood sugar, my water intake, sleep habits, my attitude. What a MESS! But, it will all be put into order by the end of next week. I SWEAR!!!

Ha! Not MY favorite time of the year, that’s for sure. We got hit with eight inches on Saturday — beautiful, but messy and dangerous.

I was in NYC with my children, celebrating my birthday (NOT revealing the number!). 🙂 We went to the Met to see the exquisite Christmas Tree, sometimes referred to as the Angel Tree, and Neapolitan Baroque Creche. It’s a sight to behold, regardless of the religion you profess (or don’t). It’s art, at its finest. Put it on your calendar for next year. You won’t regret it — I promise!

“Angel Tree” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC

While we were strolling through the museum, enjoying the VALETIN DE BOULOGNE — BEYOND CARAVAGGIO Exhibit, it was snowing outside; like CRAZY! We were warm, relaxed, and hungry, so we headed to The Petrie Court Cafe, one of the Met’s restaurants, for lunch — so,Let It Snow!

We had worked up an appetite and feasted on food fit for royalty. Most museum food doesn’t do it for me, but our lunch was deeeelicious! I won’t write the specifics — just the thought of our epicurean delights is making me salivate! We were full, and moved on to the remainder of our journey in the museum. Evidently, we walked off that full feeling, because…

Later, after viewing some other exhibits, we returned for dessert. Yes, you heard me right — DESSERT! Something I normally skip when out to lunch/dinner; but, C’mon, it was my birthday. I indulged in a serving of dark, chocolate fudge cake with a small scoop of cappuccino gelato — there go my salivary glands, again! Joking, I said to my kids, “What! No candle?” They chuckled, as my daughter reached into her purse and pulled one out. I laughed knowing they couldn’t light it, but just to be on the safe side, I said, “We’ll get thrown out, if you light that!” At that very moment, my son lit a match and they quickly sung Happy Birthday to You, as I made a wish and blew out the candle!

🙂 That was one of many laughs we had on Saturday. More took place in two Uber rides through the snow (to and from Penn Station), along with a serenade — Happy Birthday to You, just prior to my train’s departure. They made sure that the guests at the restaurant, the visitors and employees at the Met, and the passengers on the train wished me a HB! My stomach hurt from laughing; a multitude of thanks to my chickadees for making yet another birthday — SO much fun. Contrary to research, we believe that a sense of humor is genetic — actually, we know that for sure.

BACK TO WEATHER AND APPETITEand T2D. I don’t know about your inclinations, regarding food and the change in weather, but I know that I definitely BULK UP in winter. Let’s face it, if you live in the “change of season” states, you’ll be cold in the winter months and looking for a nice warm soup or stew, hot coffee or tea. For me, the warm summer weather signals salads and cold drinks.

That being said, it’s been really cold here in the Northeast of the U.S. and so, along with donning my long johns, I HAVE been drinking a lot of herbal tea and eating heavier meals (while monitoring my blood sugar, I might add). HOLY METEOROLOGY! Our temperatures ranged from the 20’s on Saturday (with 8″ of the white stuff), moving up to 46 degrees today (Wednesday), to a predicted possibility of 60 tomorrow!

Jones Beach, of course!

CRAZY! BEACH WEATHER! So where will that put our food cravings tomorrow? Chicken salad, tuna salad, big fat Greek Salad? Dare I say, ice cream? NOOOOooooo. I won’t go that far. Just as the outdoor plants are getting confused with the roller-coaster weather, our internal barometers may not know which way to direct us in terms of food. But fret not, It’s “suspected” that the thermostat will take a dive into the 20’s come Saturday, and then rise up once again during next week.

What to eat? That is the question — not Shakespeare!

It matters not the weather (feeling British), the bottom line is that this Type 2 Diabetic must stay on track — regardless of the barometer.

Monitor blood sugar levels

Exercise — in my case, walk, walk, WALK

Eat properly (Yes, we ALL know what that means!)

Monitor glucose regularly

Started WALKING!

Enjoy the journey, folks. We’re going to be just fine, 🙂 despite the weather.

It’s so cliché, but time REALLY does fly. My plan is to make the most — on EVERY level — of 2017. This T2D will beat the hell out of her A1C. 🙂

Cleaning out my refrigerator and freezer is how I started my day. Then, I moved on to food shopping to be sure my cupboards are filled with healthy choices. NO excuses!

I made a batch of sugar-free raspberry Jello, in an effort to be prepared when the sugar beast invades my brain! Sugar-free jello seems to calm “him” down.

“SUGAR BEAST”

I have visions of him “dancing in my head” — NOT “sugar-plum fairies,” the Sugar BEAST! But, it’s okay. I’m prepared to “take care of him” in 2017. BRING IT ON, BEAST! 🙂

Next on my agenda is to create a pot of piping hot Vegetable Barley Soup. It’s threatening to get colder here in the Northeast, and I’ll be ready. I love to make soup and freeze individual portions. It just makes life easier, and the individual portions help to keep my blood sugar levels in check.

Exercise = IMPORTANT

My walking buddy and I conferred and we’re starting 2017 off on the “right foot” (pun intended)! We’ll have to walk the mall, but it really doesn’t matter as long as one foot is planted firmly in front of the other! Walking is the #1 way to lower my blood sugar — works EVERY time.

Monitoring my blood sugar has to be at the top of my list, even though it’s a ROYAL pain in the butt. The bottom line is that I know when I write it down (my definition of “monitoring”), I have a MUCH better chance of staying on track.

Monitor glucose regularly

So, here’s how 2017 is shaking out thus far. I will be keeping on track by following these 5 STEPS:

Turning the clock back and, with the extra hour in the morning, I’m hoping to get my sleep schedule on track. I’d love to say, “BACK on track,” but that wouldn’t be truthful. My sleep patterns/habits are horrendous — I’m a night owl. I’ve tried to change that for years, but to no avail.

Going to bed at a decent time is the most difficult part for me. As an adult, I’ve always gone to bed after midnight. My sleep pattern is usually somewhere between 3 to 5 hours, if I’m lucky. I’ve tried developing a routine; i.e., early to bed, early to rise… A cup of hot caffeine-free tea, a dull book, meditation, a warm bath, ocean sounds, a mist of lavender spray, or a warm shower before bed. I’ve set the alarm for an early hour, with the plan of starting my day with a walk. Up and at ’em, is what I’ve attempted. “Attempted” is the operative word. Attempted, but with little or no success. 😦

ANY SUGGESTIONS? Do you have the same issue?

WHY is this so important to me??? I believe that sleep, or the lack thereof, effects everything — including diabetes.

So, with that in mind, this Type 2 Diabetic is off to bed. Wish me luck!

Aside from the obvious (eating appropriately), NOTHING brings down this T2D’s blood sugar level faster than WALKING! It never fails. Never.

I may have taken it JUST A TAD over the top on Tuesday night. It was a gorgeous night in the city, the sky was “Starry Night” clear, just a slight breeze and in the low 70’s. Perfect for walking in the “Big Apple.”

A friend and I went into NYC to see the preview of a unique show called “The Flatiron Hex.” The New York Times gave it a great review(at the time of the Times review, it was being performed in a different space). Last Tuesday night’s preview was at the Henson Carriage House.

I’m a lowly blogger and not a writer of reviews for the NY Times, but I recognize an unparalleled presentation when I see one. BY THE WAY, it’s beyond me how ANYONE can execute a one-person performance — kudos to James Godwin! Bravo and best of luck to all the members of The Flatiron Hex, an exceptional, one-of-a-kind group of artists.

Back to Type 2 Diabetes and the benefits of walking: After the preview of Flatiron Hex, we revised our route and hoofed it back to Penn, via 5th Avenue — window shopping MAY have slowed us down a bit but, all-in-all, it was a good 5 miles + walk and worth every step. My blood glucose was happy, as was my A1C.

So, here’s what I did for Kathy:

I brought down my blood glucose, by simply walking. This is a good thing because, let’s face it, this body is never going to see the inside of a gym again (Being realistic.) Again? ?? LOL!

My A1C will benefit from my “hike.” That miserable test is the truth-teller. It shows all!!! Every freakin’ 3 months — it’s like a computer that spits out the details of your (diabetic) behavior. My doctor loves it. 🙂

I was good to my heart. (It’s thrilled when I walk my brains out!)

I passed each and every bakery, patisserie, and au bon pain on the route. (More bonus points for my blood sugar and my heart.) THAT wasn’t easy! 😦

Slept like a rock — exercise will do that…

Me? I’m a happy camper to have spent a spectacular night walking the sidewalks of my beloved NYC (I ❤ NY) and, seeing an outstanding preview! What could be better?

Returned home and had breakfast (1/2 peach, 1 slice whole wheat bread/peanut butter) This is the most difficult meal of the day for me. I’m allergic to eggs — everyone’s favorite breakfast food! I’ll be working on finding alternatives for healthy breakfasts.

Jumped in the shower, then off to my writing group (11 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)

Dr. app’t 2:00 p.m

Oops — lunch? Didn’t happen. 😦 Got to dr. office early. Chinese take out across the street. I ran in and got a cup of chicken/rice soup. (ate half. It’s something…)

SLOW DOWN — bedtime routine. This is the most difficult time of the day for me. Why? because most people would refer to it as “bed”time but I’m just getting rolling. My plan is to start to slow down around 8:00 p.m. and actually go to bed at 10:00 p.m. I brought a cup of chamomile tea to bed with me and started to read. Perfect, right? It would have been, except that I realized I hadn’t finished my blog. I broke the #1 Sacred Rule of Nighttime Routine — I grabbed my laptop. Ugh. I know better than that! Quickly, I finished this post and now, it’s off to bed for this Type 2 Diabetic.

I CAN’T TAKE IT, when I’m off track or working at a really S L O W pace in ANY area of my life and that’s where I am right this minute. Ugh! I don’t know how it happens. It’s as if an enormous gust of wind sweeps through my day, grabs my plans, blowing them right out the window. I envision an open window, dressed in bright, white, sheer curtains –flowing, moving gently in the soft, gentle breeze. Then it happens — the sky darkens, the wind picks up its pace, and suddenly, SWOOOOSH!

I can see it, clear as day. My calendar, filled with an agenda created by me with tasks to make my day more productive and “perfect.” I can’t reach them (my plans) — they’re “caught” by the wind and taken to someone unknown, dark and deserted area, where they will fall, wither and die.

Obviously, that’s not what really happens; it feels like it, though.

Instead, in “real” life, my calendar — filled with dates and times, an organized agenda of things to do, calls to make, places to go, FLIES in the face of sanity. Yep, I get caught up in the boring momentum of doing what I don’t necessarily even want to do. …and, there go my plans…swoooosh.

It’s disappointing. But, who’s in charge here, anyway? That would be me! So then, GET A GRIP, Kathy. Get it together, get with the program, follow your plans! So much for the veritable tornado that you THINK is rushing through your life.

Sometimes, stuff happens — it just does. On those occasions, I know what a joke plans are; I realize that they’re not going to happen — no fault of mine. Those are not the days about which I’m speaking. I’m talking about the other days, when my schedule is laid out in a tight format, planned with no “outside influences” to distract me. The days when I pencil in:

7 :00 a.m. Take blood sugar and weight.

7:20 a.m. Throw in a load of laundry

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

8:00 a.m. Shower (toss clothes in dryer)

9:00 a.m. Get dressed, hair, makeup, blah-blah

9:30 a.m. BLOG

10:30 a.m. Leave for Writer’s Group

11 – 1:00 Writer’s Group

1:45 p.m. Lunch

Remainder of day: nonsense that we all have to d0.

5:30 p.m. Walk!

6:30 p.m. Prepare dinner and mange

7:45 p.m. Clean up kitchen, fold laundry, etc.

8:15 p.m. Write my brains out

10:30 p.m. Relax, watch the tube, read, etc.

Midnight Lights out!

Now THAT is a day that’s PLANNED PERFECTION. That is also a day that most likely will not happen the way it’s been “penciled” in. WAIT! Maybe that’s the problem — I should be using INK! 🙂 Commit, Kathy, Commit!

I don’t think that being “committed” is my problem. No, I think maybe I NEED to be committed. Not to completing my schedule, but to a lovely two-story, brick facade building, with great curb appeal, manicured lawns, flowers, trees. A delightful place where all the inhabitants are calm — probably from the regularly scheduled meds! 🙂 You know what I mean, where there’s no stress, all one’s needs are met… someone else does the laundry, cooks the meals, cleans — the whole magilla! STOP! That sounds like there might be locks on the doors, bars on the windows, and a high fence around the perimeter. NO THANK YOU. I’m not ready for that…yet?

No, seriously, the perfect scenario for me at this point in my life, is a regimen that keeps me on track but INCLUDES some flexibility. I’ve been living by the clock my entire life; I want to be done with that, at least for the most part. I’d like a schedule, but one that has blanks, so that I can pick and chose those things that I want/need to be included in my life. For instance, did you see Yoga on that schedule? No. Did you notice a massage? No. Was there a time written in to go to the city or the beach? No. Volunteering? No.

My conclusion is that I DON’T necessarily need to PICK UP THE PACE. What I do need, and want to do, is to have some time scheduled into my day to complete tasks that have to be done. Also filled in and highlighted, should be some fat ol’ blocks of time to do those things I WANT to do. I am, after all, retired; enough with the merry-go-round of jam-packed days, of running hither and yon. I repeat, NO THANK YOU!

Schedule

My focus (with my “revised” schedule) will be on keeping myself healthy. Diabetes will not reign in my life — but I will do everything possible to keep it in check — and we all know what that means.

I’ll be taking that perfectly planned schedule (as listed above) and burning it! My new and revised “schedule” will be calmer, way more fun, and healthy, as will my diabetic-friendly meals and exercise. My PACE will be tailored for MY needs. Doesn’t that sound great?

Ta-da! That’s all folks! My voice rings out — I sing: “You can take that pace and…it!”